time (t?m)n.1. a. A nonspatial continuum in which events occur in apparently irreversible succession from the past through the present to the future.b. An interval separating two points on this continuum; a duration: a long time since the last war; passed the time reading.c. A number, as of years, days, or minutes, representing such an interval: ran the course in a time just under four minutes.d. A similar number representing a specific point on this continuum, reckoned in hours and minutes: checked her watch and recorded the time, 6:17 am.e. A system by which such intervals are measured or such numbers are reckoned: solar time.2. a. often times An interval, especially a span of years, marked by similar events, conditions, or phenomena; an era: hard times; a time of troubles.b. times The present with respect to prevailing conditions and trends: You must change with the times.3. A suitable or opportune moment or season: a time for taking stock of one’s life.4. a. Periods or a period designated for a given activity: harvest time; time for bed.b. Periods or a period necessary or available for a given activity: I have no time for golf.c. A period at one’s disposal: Do you have time for a chat?5. An appointed or fated moment, especially of death or giving birth: He died before his time. Her time is near.6. a. One of several instances: knocked three times; addressed Congress for the last time before retirement.b. times Used to indicate the number of instances by which something is multiplied or divided: This tree is three times taller than that one. My library is many times smaller than hers.7. a. One’s lifetime.b. One’s period of greatest activity or engagement.c. A person’s experience during a specific period or on a certain occasion: had a good time at the party.8. a. A period of military service.b. A period of apprenticeship.c. Informal A prison sentence.9. a. The customary period of work: hired for full time.b. The period spent working.c. The hourly pay rate: earned double time on Sundays.10. The period during which a radio or television program or commercial is broadcast: “There’s television time to buy” (Brad Goldstein).11. The rate of speed of a measured activity: marching in double time.12. Music a. The meter of a musical pattern: three-quarter time.b. The rate of speed at which a piece of music is played; the tempo.13. Chiefly British The hour at which a pub closes.14. Sports A time-out.adj.1. Of, relating to, or measuring time.2. Constructed so as to operate at a particular moment: a time release.3. Payable on a future date or dates.4. Of or relating to installment buying: time payments.tr.v. timed, tim·ing, times 1. To set the time for (an event or occasion).2. To adjust to keep accurate time.3. To adjust so that a force is applied or an action occurs at the desired time: timed his swing so as to hit the ball squarely.4. To record the speed or duration of: time a runner.5. To set or maintain the tempo, speed, or duration of: time a manufacturing process.6. To speculate based on the anticipated short-term performance of (a market): time the stock market.Phrasal Verb: time out Computers To be canceled if an expected input is not received after a specified time. Used of processes.Idioms: against time With a quickly approaching time limit: worked against time to deliver the manuscript before the deadline. any time Used to acknowledge an expression of gratitude. at one time1. Simultaneously.2. At a period or moment in the past. at the same time However; nonetheless. at times On occasion; sometimes. behind the times Out-of-date; old-fashioned. for the time being Temporarily. from time to time Once in a while; at intervals. high time The appropriate or urgent time: It’s high time that you started working. in good time1. In a reasonable length of time.2. When or before due.3. Quickly. in no time Almost instantly; immediately. in time1. Before a time limit expires.2. Within an indefinite time; eventually: In time they came to accept the harsh facts.3. Music a. In the proper tempo.b. Played with a meter. on time1. According to schedule; punctual or punctually.2. By paying in installments. time after time Again and again; repeatedly. time and again Again and again; repeatedly. time of (one’s) life A highly pleasurable experience: We had the time of our lives at the beach. time on (one’s) hands An interval with nothing to do. time was There was once a time: “Time was when [urban gangs] were part of a … subculture that inner-city adolescence outgrew” (George F. Will).[Middle English, from Old English t?ma; see d?- in Indo-European roots.]American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.time (ta?m) n1. a. the continuous passage of existence in which events pass from a state of potentiality in the future, through the present, to a state of finality in the pastb. (as modifier): time travel. temporal2. (General Physics) physics a quantity measuring duration, usually with reference to a periodic process such as the rotation of the earth or the vibration of electromagnetic radiation emitted from certain atoms. In classical mechanics, time is absolute in the sense that the time of an event is independent of the observer. According to the theory of relativity it depends on the observer’s frame of reference. Time is considered as a fourth coordinate required, along with three spatial coordinates, to specify an event. See caesium clock, second21, space-time3. a specific point on this continuum expressed in terms of hours and minutes: the time is four o’clock. 4. a system of reckoning for expressing time: Greenwich mean time. 5. a. a definite and measurable portion of this continuumb. (as modifier): time limit. 6. a. an accepted period such as a day, season, etcb. (in combination): springtime. 7. an unspecified interval; a while: I was there for a time. 8. (often plural) a period or point marked by specific attributes or events: the Victorian times; time for breakfast. 9. a sufficient interval or period: have you got time to help me?. 10. an instance or occasion: I called you three times. 11. an occasion or period of specified quality: have a good time; a miserable time. 12. the duration of human existence13. the heyday of human life: in her time she was a great star. 14. a suitable period or moment: it’s time I told you. 15. the expected interval in which something is done: the flying time from New York to London was seven hours. 16. a particularly important moment, esp childbirth or death: her time had come. 17. (Mathematics) (plural) indicating a degree or amount calculated by multiplication with the number specified: ten times three is thirty; he earns four times as much as me. 18. (Clothing & Fashion) (often plural) the fashions, thought, etc, of the present age (esp in the phrases ahead of one’s time, behind the times)19. Brit (in bars, pubs, etc) short for closing time20. (Law) informal a term in jail (esp in the phrase do time)21. (Industrial Relations & HR Terms) a. a customary or full period of workb. the rate of pay for this period22. (Music, other) a. the system of combining beats or pulses in music into successive groupings by which the rhythm of the music is establishedb. a specific system having a specific number of beats in each grouping or bar: duple time. 23. (Music, other) music short for time value24. (Poetry) prosody a unit of duration used in the measurement of poetic metre; mora25. against time in an effort to complete something in a limited period26. ahead of time before the deadline27. all in good time in due course28. all the time continuously29. at one time a. once; formerlyb. simultaneously30. at the same time a. simultaneouslyb. nevertheless; however31. at times sometimes32. (Classical Music) beat time (of a conductor, etc) to indicate the tempo or pulse of a piece of music by waving a baton or a hand, tapping out the beats, etc33. before one’s time prematurely34. for the time being for the moment; temporarily35. from time to time at intervals; occasionally36. gain time See gain1937. have no time for to have no patience with; not tolerate38. in good time a. earlyb. quickly39. in no time very quickly; almost instantaneously40. in one’s own time a. outside paid working hoursb. at one’s own rate41. early or at the appointed time42. eventually43. (Music, other) music at a correct metrical or rhythmic pulse44. (Music, other) keep time to observe correctly the accent or rhythmic pulse of a piece of music in relation to tempo45. lose time (of a timepiece) to operate too slowly46. lose no time to do something without delay47. make time a. to find an opportunityb. (often foll by with) US informal to succeed in seducing48. See mark13549. in the nick of time at the last possible moment; at the critical moment50. at the expected or scheduled time51. (Banking & Finance) US payable in instalments52. pass the time of day to exchange casual greetings (with an acquaintance)53. time about Scot alternately; turn and turn about54. time and again frequently55. (Industrial Relations & HR Terms) time off a period when one is absent from work for a holiday, through sickness, etc56. (General Sporting Terms) time on Austral an additional period played at the end of a match, to compensate for time lost through injury or (in certain circumstances) to allow the teams to achieve a conclusive result. Also called (in Britain and certain other countries): extra time 57. time out of mind from time immemorial58. time of one’s life a memorably enjoyable time59. (modifier) operating automatically at or for a set time, for security or convenience: time lock; time switch. vb (tr) 60. to ascertain or calculate the duration or speed of61. to set a time for62. to adjust to keep accurate time63. to pick a suitable time for64. sport to control the execution or speed of (an action, esp a shot or stroke) so that it has its full effect at the right momentinterjthe word called out by a publican signalling that it is closing time[Old English t?ma; related to Old English t?d time, Old Norse t?mi, Alemannic z?me; see tide1]Collins English Dictionary ? Complete and Unabridged, 12th Edition 2014 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1994, 1998, 2000, 2003, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2014time (ta?m) n., adj., v. timed, tim?ing. n. 1. the system of those sequential relations that any event has to any other, as past, present, or future; indefinite and continuous duration regarded as that in which events succeed one another. 2. duration regarded as an aspect of the present life as distinct from the life to come or from eternity; finite duration. 3. (sometimes cap.) a system or method of measuring or reckoning the passage of time: Greenwich Time. 4. a limited period or interval, as between two events: a long time. 5. a particular period: Youth is the best time of life. 6. Often, times. a. a period in history, or one contemporaneous with a notable person: prehistoric times; in Lincoln’s time. b. the period or era now or previously present: a sign of the times. c. a period with reference to its conditions: hard times. 7. the end of a prescribed or allotted period, as of one’s life or a pregnancy. 8. a period experienced in a particular way: Have a good time. 9. a period of work of an employee, or the pay for it. 10. Informal. a term of enforced duty or imprisonment. 11. the period necessary for or occupied by something: The bus takes too much time, so I’ll take a plane. 12. leisure or spare time: I hope to take some time in August. 13. a definite point in time, as indicated by a clock: What time is it? 14. a particular period in a day, year, etc.: breakfast time. 15. an appointed or proper instant or period: There is a time for everything. 16. the particular point in time when an event is scheduled to take place: Curtain time is at 8. 17. an indefinite period extending into the future: Time will tell. 18. each occasion of a recurring action or event: to do something five times. 19. times, the number of instances a quantity or factor are taken together: Two goes into six three times; five times faster. 20. one of the three dramatic unities. Compare unity (def. 8). 21. a unit or a group of units in the measurement of poetic meter. 22. Music. a. tempo; relative rapidity of movement. b. meter; rhythm. c. the metrical duration of a note or rest. d. proper or characteristic rhythm or tempo. e. the general movement of a particular kind of musical composition with reference to it rhythm, metrical structure, and tempo: waltz time. 23. rate of marching, calculated on the number of paces taken per minute: double time. adj. 24. of or pertaining to the passage of time. 25. (of an explosive device) containing a clock so that it will detonate at the desired moment: a time bomb. 26. of an installment plan: time payments. v.t. 27. to measure or record the speed, duration, or rate of: to time a race. 28. to fix the duration of: She timed the test at 15 minutes. 29. to fix the interval between (actions, events, etc.): They timed their strokes at six per minute. 30. to regulate (a train, clock, etc.) as to time. 31. to choose the moment or occasion for; schedule: He timed the attack perfectly. v.i. 32. to keep time; sound or move in unison. Idioms: 1. against time, in an effort to finish within a limited period. 2. ahead of time, before the time due; early. 3. at one time, a. once; formerly. b. at the same time; simultaneously. 4. at the same time, a. nevertheless; yet: He’s young; at the same time, he’s quite responsible. b. simultaneously. 5. at times, at intervals; occasionally. 6. behind the times, old-fashioned; dated. 7. for the time being, temporarily; for the present. 8. from time to time, occasionally; at intervals. 9. gain time, to achieve a delay or postponement. 10. in good time, at or in advance of the appointed time; punctually. 11. in no time, in a very brief time. 12. in time, a. early enough: Come in time for dinner. b. in the future; eventually: In time he’ll understand. c. in the correct rhythm or tempo. 13. keep time, a. to record time, as a watch or clock does. b. to mark or observe the tempo, as by performing rhythmic movements. 14. kill time, to occupy oneself with some activity to make time pass more quickly. 15. make time, to move or travel quickly. 16. make time with, Slang. to pursue or take as a sexual partner. 17. many a time, again and again; frequently. 18. mark time, a. to suspend progress temporarily, as to await developments; fail to advance. b. to move the feet alternately as in marching, but without advancing. 19. on one’s own time, during one’s free time; while not being paid. 20. on time, a. at the specified time; punctually. b. to be paid for within a designated period of time, as in installments. 21. take one’s time, to act without hurry. 22. the time of one’s life, an extremely enjoyable experience. 23. time after time, again and again. 24. time and (time) again, repeatedly; often. [before 900; Old English t?ma, c. Old Norse t?mi; akin to tide1] Random House Kernerman Webster’s College Dictionary, © 2010 K Dictionaries Ltd. Copyright 2005, 1997, 1991 by Random House, Inc. All rights reserved.time (t?m)1. A continuous, measurable quantity in which events occur in a sequence proceeding from the past through the present to the future. See Note at space-time.2. a. An interval separating two points of this quantity; a duration.b. A system by which such intervals are measured or such numbers are calculated: standard time; daylight-saving time.The American Heritage® Student Science Dictionary, Second Edition. Copyright © 2014 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.TimeSee also antiquity; future; past. anachronism1. a person or a thing remaining or appearing after its own time period; archaism.2. an error in chronology. Also called antichronism. ? anachronistic, anachronistical, anachronous, adj.asynchronismthe absence of concurrent time. Cf. synchronism. ? asynchronic, adj. ? asynchrony, n.chronology1. the science of arranging time in fixed periods for the purpose of dating events accurately and arranging them in order of occurrence.2. a reference book organized according to the dates of past events. ? chronologer, chronologist, n. ? chronological, adj.chronometry1. the art of measuring time accurately.2. the measurement of time by periods or divisions. ? chronometric, chronometrical, adj.chronophobiaan abnormal discomfort concerning time.chronoscopean instrument for accurate measurement of very short periods of time, as the time of trajectory of missiles.chronoscopyaccurate measurement of short intervals of time by means of a chronoscope. ? chronoscopic, adj.clepsydraan instrument for measuring time by the controlled flow of water or mercury through a small opening.coetaneitycoevalneity. ? coetaneous, adj.coeternitythe state of eternal coexistence; eternal coexistence with another eternal entity. ? coetemal, adj.coevalneitythe state or quality of being alike in age or duration; contemporaneity. Also called coetaneity. ? coeval, adj.cunctationthe practice or habit of delay or tardiness; procrastination. ? cunctator, n. ? cunctatious, cunctatory, adj.dendrochronologythe science of fixing dates in the past by the study of growth rings in trees. ? dendrochronologist, n. ? dendrochronological, adj.diachronism, diachronythe comparative study of a development based on its history. ? diachronic, diachronistic, diachronistical, adj.diuturnityRare. the quality of long duration in time; length of time. ? diuturnal, adj.geochronologythe chronology of the earth as induced from geologic data. ? geochronologist, n. ? geochronologic, geochronological, adj.glottochronologythe study of two or more related but distinct languages in order to determine when they separated, by examining the lexicon they share and those parts of it that have been replaced. ? glottochronologist, n. ? glottochronological, adj.gnomonicsthe art or science of constructing dials, as sundials, which show the time of day by the shadow of the gnomon, a pin or triangle raised above the surface of the dial.gnomonologya treatise or other work on the subject of gnomics.horologeany instrument or device for telling time, especially a sundial and early forms of the clock.horologiography1. the description of watches and clocks.2. the art of making timepieces. ? horologiographer, horologiographian, n. ? horologiographic, adj.horologythe art or science of making timepieces or of measuring time. ? horologist, n. ? horological, adj.horometeran instrument for measuring time.horometrythe art or science of measuring time. ? horometrical, adj.immediatismimmediateness; the quality or condition of being immediate.intempestivityObsolete, the state or condition of being untimely. ? intempestive, adj.isochronism1. the characteristic of having a uniform period of vibration.2. the condition of occurring at the same time as another event. ? isochronic, adj. ? isochrony, n.menologya calendar of months.mensalitythe state or condition of occurring monthly.metachronisma chronological error in which an event is assigned a date after its real one. Cf. parachronism. ? metachronic, adj.microchronometeran instrument for measuring extremely small time intervals. ? microchronometric, adj.obsolescencethe process or condition of going out of date or being no longer in use. ? obsolescent, adj.parachronismthe dating of an event as later than its actual occurrence. Cf. prochronism. ? parachronic, adj.phenologythe study of natural phenomena that occur periodically, as migration or blossoming, and their relation to climate and changes of season. ? phenologist, n. ? phenological, adj.photochronograph1. a camera for recording motion by a series of photographs taken at brief intervals.2. the photograph so produced.3. a camera that records the exact time of the event it is photographing by exposing a moving sensitized plate to the tracing of a thin beam of light synchronized with the event.prevenance, preveniencethe act or state of preceding or coming before. ? prevenient, adj.prochronismthe dating of an event as earlier than its actual occurrence. Cf. parachronism. ? prochronic, adj.quotietythe proportionate frequency at which an event takes place. See also numbers.sempiternitythe state or quality of being eternal, without beginning or end. ? sempiternal, adj.synchronism, synchronya coincidence in time; simultaneity. Cf. asynchronism. ? synchronistic, synchronistical, adj.synchronologyan arrangement of events by date, grouping together all those of the same date; a comparative chronology. ? synchronological, adj.transience, transiencythe state or quality of passing with time or being ephemeral or fleeting. ? transient, adj.-Ologies & -Isms. Copyright 2008 The Gale Group, Inc. All rights reserved.